During their annual midwinter conference, the American Library Association (ALA) hosts the annual Youth Media Awards (in library land, it’s like the Grammys, but for books). All year, leading up to the event, bibliophiles host mock pick clubs for their favorite books and have the pleasure of seeing which contender will win the coveted gold sticker to adorn their dust jackets. For me, this is a morning of dual devices—one to scour social media for news of the winners and another to log onto my public library’s catalog to place holds. Here is the rundown of this year’s award winners:

• The most notable award is the John Newbery Medal, which is awarded to the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature. This year, the award went to “When You Trap a Tiger” by Tae Keller. There were five Newbery Honor books named this year, with author Christina Soontornvat claiming two of those honors, a feat that has never been accomplished before.
• The Randolph Caldecott Medal is awarded to the most distinguished picture book for children. This year’s winner, “We Are Water Protectors,” is illustrated by Michaela Goade, the first indigenous person to win this prestigious award.
• The Coretta Scott King Award recognizes an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and adults. “Before the Ever After”, by Jacqueline Woodson, is this year’s King Author Book winner and is a chilling middle grade novel depicting the trauma of living with multiple concussions. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul”, illustrated by Frank Moorison, was named the King Illustrator Book winner.
• My favorite award is the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award, which is given to the most talented new author. This year, Tracy Deonn, author of “Legendborn,” is the recipient. “Legendborn” is one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a long time, and if you’re a fan of magic and legends, it’s definitely worth checking out.
• The Michael L. Printz Award is for excellence in literature written for young adults. “Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story),”by Daniel Nayeri, is the 2021 Printz Award winner.
• The Pura Belpre Awards honor a Latinx writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience. There are several awards given out, but this year’s Young Adult Author Award went to Yamile Saied Mendez for her book “Furia”.
• The Stonewall Book Award is given to young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience. This year’s winner is “We Are Little Feminists: Families,” written by Archaa Shrivastav. 
• The William C. Morris Award is for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens. “If These Wings Could Fly,” written by Kyrie McCauley is the 2021 Morris Award winner.

written by Jennifer Hiltner

edited by Keerthi Selvam and Saanvi Gutta

 

 

American Library Association. (2021, January 25). ALA announces 2021 youth media awards.

http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2021/01/ala-announces-2021-youth-media-awards#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20Rise%20and%20Fall%20of,division%20of%20Penguin%20Random%20House.